For all of Hawaii's natural beauty, some of what makes this such a beautiful place also makes it dangerous. A perfect example of this is the spectacular surf that arrives at the North Shore each winter. It is certainly as deadly as it is amazing to watch.

Most Americans are familiar with Pearl Harbor as the scene
of the Japanese attack that pulled the United States into World War II. There
are, however, other aspects of Pearl Harbor that also make it an important
place to visit. Pearl Harbor remains a vital, operational military base for the
U.S. Navy in the Pacific Ocean. Many military operations and relief efforts are
planned and staged out of Pearl Harbor. It was established as a military base
by the United States in 1908.

Opened in 1979, the Royal Hawaiian Center is one of Hawaii's largest shopping malls featuring over 110+ shops and restaurants. Located in the heart of revitalized Waikiki and next to the famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the Royal Hawaiian Center recently completed its renovation and expansion work and the center now houses the largest concentration of flagship stores in Hawaii including Cartier, Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bvlgari, Rolex, Kate spade, Fendi, Juicy Couture, and more. You'll also find a number of Waikiki's best restaurants and eateries including The Cheesecake Factory arguably the most popular restaurant in Waikiki.

The Big Island of Hawaii's very own Mauna Kea has just been selected as the future site of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Named after the measurements of one of the mirrors located inside, this telescope will be the largest in the world.

Mauna Kea, a now dormant volcano and a sacred site for Native Hawaiians, is currently the site of 13 different telescopes, not all belonging to the United States, as some belong to the NASA, Japan, and the United Kingdom. One may wonder why this one site is the home so many different telescopes and the answer is simple: it is one of the best observatory places on the planet. Mauna Kea is located over 13,000 feet above sea level, and over 32,000 feet from the bottom of the ocean. When counting from the depths of the sea, Mauna Kea is the highest mountain in the world.

It is an exciting time in the Aloha State as we welcome the USS Hawaii to its new home at Pearl Harbor. The USS Hawaii, the first named after our fair state, is one of the three Virginia-class submarines currently commissioned by the United States Navy.

In laymen's terms, a Virginia-class submarine is an attack submarine. Traditional submarines are most equipped for near-shore combat, but the Virginia- class is not only suited for near shore excursions, but open-ocean deployments. According to the Navy, on board the USS Hawaii, digital cameras replace the traditional periscope, and hydrophones allow the crew to listen to their surroundings. This class of submarine is also equipped with everything needed for a variety of battle situations, whether the mission is mapping out minefields or keeping surveillance.

Making the big move to Hawaii can be a stressful and daunting process, but this is also a time of great expectation. Questions of what life will be like in the Islands, where the best beaches are, and what it would be like to have a permanent tan are sure to cross the mind. Before grabbing the kids, the family pet, and hopping on a plane to start your new life in Hawaii, take the time to learn about Hawaii's Animal Quarantine program.

Nestled into the foothills of the Ko'olau mountain range, and offering stunning views of the ocean and Mokoli'i (the Chinaman's Hat), is Kualoa Ranch. This cattle ranch offers everything that a well rounded vacation to Hawaii should include: ocean views, sightseeing, cultural experiences, and opportunities to embrace unspoiled nature in all of its glory. Not only is Kualoa Ranch one of the most breathtaking locations on Oahu, it is the rare place that has an activity for everyone at affordable prices.